Jobi McAnuff agrees with Troy Deeney over ‘greedy’ Ethan Ampadu in Leeds United v Southampton
Troy Deeney and Jobi McAnuff were in agreement over “greedy” Ethan Ampadu for Leeds United in the Championship playoff final against Southampton.
The Whites were beaten by the Saints 1-0 in Sunday’s (26 May) huge decider at Wembley with Adam Armstrong scoring the only goal of the game.
Wales defender Ampadu, 23, was guilty of trying to step up and steal the ball, an error that left plenty of space for Armstrong to exploit.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Football (26 May), former Watford striker Deeney said: “Here, I think Ampadu’s really, really poor. What do you think Jobe?”
Fellow pundit McAnuff replied: “Yeah, listen this is what you cannot afford to do, he’s just a bit greedy, wants to go out and step and press just there.
“Armstrong identifies where the space is, the intelligence to know, run in on goal, this is something he’s done all season wrong.”
Not Ethan Ampadu’s best Leeds United moment
Ampadu has been absolutely superb for Leeds since joining from Chelsea in a permanent transfer last summer, indeed there is an argument to be made that he has been Leeds’ best player this season.
But you simply cannot afford to go wandering on this huge Wembley pitch, especially in a match of such huge importance as a playoff final.
It gave Armstrong so much time and space to exploit and a player of his quality was never likely to miss such a presentable opportunity, he rifled into the bottom corner to leave Illan Meslier absolutely no chance.
Leeds were always facing an uphill battle from there and now, sadly, the reality is about to dawn that it’s another season in the Championship they are headed for in the 2024-2025 season.
Once the dust settles there will be plenty to look back on with pride this term but unfortunately it was more playoff heartbreak on this occasion.
In other Leeds United news, could the Southampton defeat mean one ace will head for the exit door?
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